U.S. Sen. Tom Carper announces support for same-sex marriage

WASHINGTON — Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware has Tuesday announced his support for same-sex marriage, leaving only seven remaining Democratic U.S. Senators who have not yet come out in support of marriage equality.

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.)

Carper made the announcement Tuesday on his Facebook page, saying he came to his decision “after a great deal of soul searching.”

As our society has changed and evolved, so too has the public’s opinion on gay marriage – and so has mine. I pray every day for God to grant me the wisdom to do what is right.

Through my prayers and conversations with my family and countless friends and Delawareans, I’ve been reminded of the power of one of my core values: the Golden Rule.

It calls on us to treat others as we want to be treated. That means, to me, that all Americans ultimately should be free to marry the people they love and intend to share their lives with, regardless of their sexual orientation, and that’s why today, after a great deal of soul searching, I’m endorsing marriage equality.

Caper is the 49th U.S. senator to throw his support behind same-sex marriage. Forty-five other Democrats, two independents who caucus with Democrats and one Republican, Ohio Sen. Rob Portman, had previously announced their support.